moving from high chair to table

[danmae]

i have always feed my little boy in a high chair in our lounge while he watched tv.(yes i know, naughty me) he is now 2 and he is climbing out the high chair, it is unsafe to let him stay in it. but i can not get him to stay at the table long enough to eat more that a few bits, and instead of eating 3 meals and a snack he is now constantly looking snacks to fill up on. please help any advice welcome.

does he not get stapped into high chair?
my ds is now 2.7 and has been sitting at table since 2. i always find that when there is a new change then the routine has to change too. our ds bought some new cutlery and bibs and i explained he is a big boy now and isnt it exciting that now he can have his meals at the table, yes that novelty wore off and it is hard work but you have to stay strong and in control if you want meal time 'rules'.

Can you take the tray off the high chair and put it up to the table - or get a booster seat with a bit to strap him in?

Also eat together so he sees what behaviour you expect. At least one of us always eats breakfast with our little man (21months). At lunch and tea team we eat with him if at all practical (at the CM I think he sits at a children's table with her little boy and she supervises). Where possible we always try to eat the same thing. But if we can't manage it (e.g. the nights I work I can't get tea done in time) I have some toast or something while he eats. He has a higchair with adjutable height and removable tray so he is in his chair but at the table with us. We talk about what we're eating, what we are going to do later/what we did in the day etc. I will confess to a bit of Radio 4 in the background for my sanity but he occasionally insists I turn my "noise" off to talk to him.

Also reasonable expectations of how long a meal should take (in our house never longer than 30 mins at the table unless we have dinner guests or he is still eating and doesn't want to get down).

Put his meal out first and chop it up etc. so it goes cool enough in time so he doesn't have to wait around to be fed.

Mealtimes generally work really well for us.

Just don't ask about sleep - was an abject failure as a parent on that one!

Apologies for typing!

Another vote for a booster chair and eating meals together where possible.